How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper

This essential guide provides scientists of all levels with practical advice on writing about their work and getting published.

Barbara Gastel (Author), Robert A. Day (Author)

9781009477536, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 25 April 2024

376 pages
22.8 x 15.3 x 1.8 cm, 0.6 kg

'A very useful reference book for all scientists who want to have their work read - and that's all of us, isn't it?' Robert Connon Smith, The Observatory

Thoroughly updated throughout, the authors of this classic guide put their advice into practice by keeping the book as clear and simple as possible. They provide early-career scientists and experienced researchers with practical support on writing for different audiences and getting published. This ninth edition retains the key material – including preparing text and graphics, publishing research papers, writing grant proposals, rights and permissions, and a wealth of advice on writing style – while new material includes new guidance on navigating copyright, presenting online, identifying co-authors, creating visual abstracts, and writing in English as a non-native language. Valuable appendices provide a ready reference on words and expressions to avoid, SI prefixes, useful websites, and a handy glossary. Postgraduate students and working scientists will want to keep How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper at their desks and refer to it at every stage of writing and publication.

Preface
A word to international readers
Acknowledgments
Part I. Some Preliminaries: 1. What is scientific writing?
2. Historical perspectives
3. Approaching a writing project
4. What is a scientific paper?
5. Ethics in scientific publishing
6. Where to submit your manuscript
Part II. Preparing the Text: 7. How to prepare the title
8. How to list the authors and addresses
9. How to prepare the abstract
10. How to write the introduction
11. How to write the materials and methods section
12. How to write the results
13. How to write the discussion
14. How to state the acknowledgments
15. How to cite the references
Part III. Preparing the Tables and Figures: 16. How to design effective tables
17. How to prepare effective graphs
18. How to prepare effective photographs
Part IV. Publishing the Paper: 19. Rights and permissions
20. How to submit the manuscript
21. The review process (how to deal with editors)
22. The publishing process (how to deal with proofs) – and after publication
Part V. Doing Other Writing for Publication: 23. How to write a review paper
24. How to write opinion (letters to the editor, editorials, book reviews, and essays)
25. How to write a book chapter or a book
26. How to write for the public
Part VI. Conference Communications: 27. How to present a paper orally
28. How to prepare a poster
29. How to write a conference report
Part VII. Scientific Style: 30. Use and misuse of English
31. Avoiding jargon
32. How and when to use abbreviations
33. Writing clearly across cultures and media
34. How to write science in English as a foreign language
Part VIII. Other Topics in Scientific Communication: 35. How to write a thesis
36. How to prepare a curriculum vitae, cover letter, and personal statement
37. How to prepare grant proposals and progress reports
38. How to write a recommendation letter – and how to ask for one
39. How to work with the media
40. How to provide peer review
41. How to edit your own work
42. How to seek a scientific-communication career
Appendix 1. Selected journal title word abbreviations
Appendix 2. Words and expressions to avoid
Appendix 3. SI (Système International) prefixes and their abbreviations
Appendix 4. Some helpful websites
Glossary
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Science: general issues [PD]